We aren’t an Investigative Group: Dr Donahoe QC

Andrew Fanasia Jr.

Dr Arthur Donahoe QC, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group in Honiara, S.I

Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) Chair strongly stressed that they are not here in the Solomon Islands to investigate the national general election's improper activites.

Dr Arthur Donahoe QC, Chairperson of the COG made this statement in his arrival statement in Honiara on Friday last week.

The Solomon Islands and other international media asked Dr Donahoe QC about the form of investigation the Observer Group will do with the allegations of improper activity related to the national election.

"I want to stress that we aren't an investigation group, we are not here to turn over stones and try to unearth improper activity," Dr Donahoe QC affirmed to the media attending his press conference in Honiara.

He futher stressed that they are observer Group and they can only comment on what they observe.

"If that sort of activity happens, he said, and if it happens clandestinely its' unlikely that they observe it in the nature of the way they conduct their operatios.

Meanwhile, Dr Donahoe QC said they have been made aware of some allegations that some candidates engaged in improper activities surrounding the voters and "certainly we will be on the watch for that sort of thing."

The National Express understands that the COG will be deployed to the six of the nine provinces of the country and in Honiara to observe the voting, counting, and result processes.